Tag Archives: anarchists

Post navigation

After a short period of inactivity, pugetsoundanarchists.org is active once again. The site has served as an open space for discussion, dialog, and reference over the years. It is meant to function as a space that is open to all tendencies of anarchism in the Puget Sound area. The site is in no way the meeting point or result of one group but rather a forum and tool for anarchists of all stripes to engage with one another.

Although, the space is online, over the years, it has proven to be a force for regional anarchists as a place where anarchists can see parts of the local struggle and activity reflected through a neutral medium.

In light of the Seattle Federal Grand Jury and its subsequent intimidation, it is necessary to continue to act and reflect as anarchists regardless of the consequences of repression. This site is just another simple tool that can be used by comrades and potential comrades to carry out their practice against the State and Capital and in solidarity with those in exile, prison, or otherwise resisting the hands of the State.

In the aftermath of 9/11, I pretty much dropped everything to produce media about the protests against the war in Afghanistan. However, I was clueless about the alter-globalization movement and that mass mobilizations had been happening all over the world for the two years preceding the Twin Towers attacks.

That is, until joining Indymedia in Atlanta.

Indymedia, or IMC, a decentralized network of radical journalists born out of the 1999 anti-WTO demonstrations in Seattle, was now a worldwide phenomenon, and when the US was beating the drums of war, IMC centers became the megaphones for anti-war mobilizations.

The anarchists who staffed the centers introduced me to a new world of indy filmmaking that changed my life forever. Watching“Breaking the Spell,” a film about the WTO protests that was filled with “riot porn,” I kept thinking to myself, “Can they really do that? Is this shit legal?” I borrowed VHS copies of such gems as, “Crowd Bites Wolf,” “Fuck the Corporate Media,” and “The 4th World War,” and decided this was the type of media I wanted to make.

What made those films so exciting was that they were unapologetic about their politics. Anarchists were at the forefront of the action, not the cops or politicians. They displayed a creative celebration of movement victories and radical culture, normalizing the sentiments which I had previously felt somewhat alone in—a hatred for capitalism and authority, and an uncompromising love for freedom and social justice.

Over a decade later, however, it is sad to say that the world of radical anarchist filmmaking, which I had expected would develop by now, has not come to fruition. Maybe my expectations were set too high. After seeing the rapid global spread of IMCs, I imagined that anarchists from all over the world would pick up cheap cameras and pirated copies of Final Cut Pro programs and unleash a new wave of radical cinema. To be sure, the growth of citizen journalism has had a significant effect on world politics, but “radical anarchist cinema” doesn’t mean eyewitness video reports of police brutality or “livestreamed” protest events.

10:00am – 4:30pm
Saturday January 18 2014

►► 1st Surrey Anarchist Book Fair: January 18th, 2014.
There will be workshops and panels scheduled in parallel with the bookfair
and we are seeking radical book & zine distributors who are interested in a table
at the bookfair.Tabling Request Deadline–for inclusion in the printed schedule– is January 6th, 2014.

We welcome all requests, questions, comments, advice, offers of help/billeting/rides:Please contact us at <org@naasn2014.org>

Scene from morning demo in memory of Alexis Grigoropoulos (Athens, December 6, 2013)

School students caught in a police kettle at Propylaea (Athens, December 6, 2013)

Before I start describing the incident, I would like to mention the reasons why I haven’t initiated any formal complaint or lawsuit. First off, I declare myself an anarchist-antiauthoritarian. Therefore, my conscience cannot be misled by legal proceedings. Freedom combatants should draw the battle lines against the system and its “privileges” offered to us. In the following account of the incident (which occurred two days before the anniversary of the murder of comrade Alexis Grigoropoulos, in 2008), I want to make it clear that I do not consider myself a victim of the described attack, because the battle lines are drawn, and we stand against the enemy, as I already mentioned.

On the night of December 4, 2013 I was in the downtown area of Exarchia alongside other comrades, when we understood that we were followed by three plainclothes cops close to the corner of Benaki and Eressou streets. We briefly talked about what to do, and then we chased and harassed the cops. Two of the plainclothes ran away on Dervenion street toward Zoodochou Pigis street, while the third cop ran off to Eressou street, heading also to Zoodochou Pigis. It came as no surprise when we saw the first two thugs making a turn into Valtetsiou street and then on to Charilaou Trikoupi street, exactly where an anti-riot squadron is permanently stationed. We looked back, towards the third cop, and I yelled at him: “Where do you think you’re going, you fuckin’ undercover?” Suddenly I noticed that he was holding a gun pointed at me, and he shouted: “Come here… I’ll fuck you over” pointing his gun at my chest. In the next few seconds he cocked his pistol, ready to fire, and I shouted back at him: “What are you going to do, shoot me?” He shot me in the leg. At that precise moment, I didn’t realized that I was injured however, and the thought that his next bullet would hit me made me run towards Exarchia square, where I finally saw I was wounded in the leg.

I considered useful to disclose this information not to spread fear but rage. We won’t chicken out no matter what; they must get it through their heads we don’t bend, not even with bullets.

Attack first and always, with every possible way and every means, against the State and its minions.

See each other on the streets today, December 6 and every day.

The bullet will be returned to both the instigators and the perpetrators of the shot.

Strength to the vagabonds who are accused in the cases of Velventos and Nea Filadelfeia.

4) The “Move Marie” campaign to have Earth Liberation Front prisoner Marie Mason moved from her special isolation unit is still underway! More information on the campaign is available here.

5) 4strugglemag needs your help fundraising to send Issue 23 to prison readers. The magazine edited by prisoner of war Jaan Laaman has been a voice for prisoners and their supporters for ten years.They send free copies of each issue to 700 prisoners across North America, and reach many hundreds more through shared copies. Go here to find out how to help make the next issue happen.

6) Sekou Cinque T. M. Kambui (S/N William J. Turk) has requested a letter-writing campaign asserting his innocence in preparation for his upcoming parole hearing, which could be held as early as February of 2014. He was accused of murdering a wealthy white oil-man and a KKK member in Alabama.

Early morning, on Wednesday November 6th a Royal Bank Of Canada had all 2 of their ATMs smashed and 4 of their windows. This was an easy target as it was far on East Hastings in Burnaby. The RBC was attacked because they help fund the most destructive project on earth, the Alberta Tar Sands.

The next early morning, a Chevron on 1st and Nanaimo had 9 of its 12 pumps smashed, effectively shutting it the fuck down. This has no doubt cost Chevron tens of thousands of dollars due to damages and lost revenue. It was easily done with a hammer and took about 1-3 swings each pump. Chevron was attacked because it is a majority shareholder of the Pacific Trail Pipeline. The Pacific Trail Pipeline (PTP) is an already approved Natural Gas pipeline but the Unist`ot`en** have built a blockade right on the path of this pipeline. As anarchists we have nothing but solidarity for the Unist`oten and will do everything we can to assist them in their struggle against all corporations who wish to destroy their land and the colonial governments who wish to assist the corporations as it runs parallel with the anarchist struggle.

To other activists and environmental groups, this anti-pipelines movement will either be anti-capitalist or nothing. It will either be a mix of violent tactics and peaceful ones or it will be ineffective. It will either be against this colonial government or unsuccessful. We understand the misery and despair of this society and capitalism can be very uninspiring and depressing but there is nothing more liberating, while this society exists, than to smash, burn, loot and bomb something that is smashing your life everyday.We hope these actions inspires you to take some risks. Find your comfort zone and then challenge it.

We understand that it can be scary to commit illegal acts so its best to start small and gain your confidence and skills. Try posturing around your city and move on to paint bombing to targeted graffiti. So on and so forth. The best way to break a window is on the corner where there is less flex. An ATM takes one or two strikes with an hard object. Be careful with ATMs through they usual have high definition cameras so cover your whole face. Glasses or snow goggles would work great. Dress is loose black clothing bearing no logs. If you use other clothing ditch it right after. Black shoes work great. You can also wear different colour shoes and wear socks over them and ditch the socks after you caused some havoc.

“The Unist’ot’en Camp is a resistance community whose purpose is to protect sovereign Wet’suwet’en territory from several proposed pipelines from the Tar Sands Gigaproject and shale gas from Hydraulic Fracturing Projects in the Peace River Region.

Wet’suwet’en territory, which extends from Burns Lake to the Coastal Mountains, is sovereign territory which has never been ceded to the colonial Canadian state; the Wet’suwet’en are not under treaty with the Canadian government. Their territory, therefore, is and always will be free, and belongs to the Wet’suwet’en people alone.

Since July of 2010, the Wet’suwet’en have established a camp in the pathway of the Pacific Trails Pipeline. Likhts’amisyu hereditary chief Toghestiy states, “Unist’ot’en and Grassroots Wet’suwet’en have consistently stated that they will not allow such a pipeline to pass through their territory. The federal and provincial governments, as well as Indian Act tribal councils or bands, have no right or jurisdiction to approve development on Unist’ot’en lands. By consulting only with elected Indian Act tribal councils and bands, the Canadian government breaks its own laws as outlined in the 1997 Supreme Court of Canada Delgamuukw decision which recognizes Hereditary adjudication processes.”

Freda Huson, spokeswoman for the Unist’ot’en Clan, states: “Pacific Trails Pipeline does not have permission to be on our territory. This is unceded land. Through emails and in meetings, we have repeatedly said NO. Pacific Trail Pipeline’s proposed route is through two main salmon spawning channels which provide our staple food supply. We have made the message clear to Pacific Trails, Enbridge, and all of industry: We will not permit any pipelines through our territory.”

The Unist’ot’en clan is against all pipelines slated to cross through their territories. This includes Enbridge Northern Gateway, Pacific Trails, Coast Gas Link, Kinder Morgan’s northern proposal, and others. Pacific Trails Pipeline is the most pressing and immediate threat to the community. Enbridge pipeline would be built side by side to – with essentially the same right of way as Pacific Trails, thus raising concerns that the Pacific Trails Pipeline might ‘blaze a trail’ for the Enbridge project.`

For those who do not understand why black bloc activists use militant tactics to destroy the property of corporations: black bloc activists are not protesters! They are not out there to protest! They are out there to carry out direct action against symbols and mechanisms of oppression. Their actions are aimed at causing material damage against oppressive institutions.

However, even more importantly, they act with performative intent so as to illustrate dramatically that people have the power even when they’re faced with the overwhelming force of a police state; that corporations and institutions are not as powerful as they would like to convince us, and when they try to deter us it’s really in our hands to resist.

Since they insist on attacking us, let us challenge authority and subvert the order and the laws. This does not mean that we should abandon ethics, humanity, or quit supporting one another. These are vital lessons that people should remember now more than ever. The police blatantly disregard the rights of human beings. To them, people are only a docile mass, easily controlled and manipulated.

Most would agree that those in Power should fear the people, and apparently they have lost this healthy fear; thus militant activism is the effort to keep this threat alive—because conducting sit-ins and waving placards never will.

The more we forget we hold the power to rebel against anyone who tries to dominate us, the more they dominate us.

In late July of 2012, our friend Steve received a phone call from a man identifying himself as a FBI agent. He was told that a subpoena had been issued for him to appear before a federal Grand Jury investigating the vandalism of the Kenzo Nakamura Court of Appeals*. This phone call happened in conjunction with three other people being served subpoenas in Olympia and Portland, as well as house raids in Portland. Although Steve is a known anarchist in the Northwest, who has been subjected to state harassment before, up until this moment he has not been served or indicated as a suspect of the ongoing Grand Jury investigation targeting anarchists.

His life has been severely impacted by the course of events. He has made the choice to leave his former life behind in order to resist the Grand Jury on his own terms. This means that Steve has gone without face-to-face contact with his family, friends, and loved ones for many months.

The investigation and subsequent repression is still very much alive even though former prisoners, Maddy, Matt and Kteeo are now out of prison. The potential for criminal indictments remains a real possibility. Also, the effects of imprisonment and future threats of going back to prison, which could happen if any of the three are charged with criminal contempt, are not something that ends once one has left the prison walls behind.

While Steve has been doing his best to adjust to life in a new place, it has not been an easy transition. He is in a really rough spot right now, being thousands of miles away from his home and not knowing when he will be able to return. He has already been physically and verbally harassed by the state forces in his new location, and is having a hard time finding employment due to not having status and language barriers. At the same time, he has been doing his best to keep his spirits high and is grateful for all the support and solidarity he has received so far, and for the new friends he has made. The fact remains that life inside capitalist society is expensive, and at this point he has no income whatsoever. Please consider donating to Steve so he can take care of his rent, bills, transportation costs, and everything else this life forces us to pay for. As little or much as you can, anything helps.

*It is important to note that Steve stands in solidarity and complicity with all those accused of damaging the Kenzo Nakamura Court House.

Hello friends! I know there have been several posts already pertaining to black bloc styled tactics, but I’d thought I’d throw out some friendly words of advise. When blocing up or deblocing in a huddle I’d suggest using something to cover the top of the huddle.

You can also get snatched if you’re walking alone in bloc and I’ve seen people get conspiracy charges, but this doesn’t happen often due to political fallout.

Another pressing issue I’d like to address is the use of bandannas. Of course achieve complete anonymity is virtually impossible, but a bandanna alone certainly will not do what a lot of people think it will. Especially if you take it off at any point during the day in plane sight.

Let’s say your at an action and your wearing a bandanna and some nondescript clothes. That’s all fine and dandy, but then let’s say you want to do some smashy smashy and then let’s say earlier you had taken the bandanna off to drink water or something. Maybe you didn’t see the camera filming you when you chugged that mountain dew with your bandanna off, but the camera got a glimpse of your face none the less. Hell, this might not even be that big of a deal as long as you get rid of the clothes you were wearing that day and change your hair up a bit. If you find yourself in this situation don’t freak out. Alter your appearance a bit(or don’t if you don’t look like Sid Vicious or something), or if you live somewhere out of the jurisdiction of the department investigating you could be fine if you cover your bases and aren’t in any news stories and don’t have your picture on some radical website or whatever.

For my standards a bandanna alone doesn’t cut it, but maybe a bandanna and a hoodie with an underlayer of clothes does. Honestly there’s a lot you can do to make it way harder for the authorities to figure out who the fuck you are, but don’t over or under estimate them. Play it a bit safe, but if you’ve already fucked up don’t over stress it, just be mindful of it and take some precautions.

Some people can pull off a hat and sunglasses some people can’t especially in a street battle or smashy smashy scenario. Remember the authorities go after the easy targets or the targets that have the most potential to increase rupture, but they also don’t want to arrest loads of anarchists and the like due to the inevitable ruptures that would happen within the prisons. However we are supposedly a leaderless resistance, so more often than not they’ll just go after the easy targets. So don’t be an easy target. Most importantly though, be in solidarity with those who do fuck up. We’ve all fucked up, there is no perfect way to do shit. I’ve seen people in the best blocing conditions get fucked later for bullshit and I’ve seen people without even a hat on their head nor a piece of black clothing dearrest people without the slightest slap on the wrist.

What are some more tips…hmm…that foam cushion stuff on ski-goggles melts when it comes into contact with pepper-spray…the only constant in life is change…dresses fit under most outfits…plywood, rope, and soft cushion type materials make good shields…phalanxes and the like are more easily broken when you surround them or come at them from behind…move like water…people are usually scared of fire…we can do so many things our enemies can’t and we will always have a leg up on them tactically and strategically speaking if not materially speaking…smoke blocks teargas…things are harder to move when they’re on fire…news crews are just cops with cameras…looting is fun…build attack communes…organize the alcoholics…t-shirts make great masks…stacked newspaper boxes are harder to move…you don’t need a march to have a bloc party…DGR is basically a green RCP…the violent revolt of oppressed people is always in the category of self defense, but that does not mean it cannot take offensive forms…use startpage to look up shit on the internet…shattered storefront windows make for better doors than that storefront doors, but storefront doors are more expensive…you can be a source of inspiration…there is no after the revolution…